Washington (CNN) - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is returning to South Carolina Thursday to headline the Spartanburg Republican Party's Bronze Elephant Dinner.

Gingrich has appeared in the "First-in-the-South" presidential primary state repeatedly in the last year, most recently in October, when he hosted a crowded town hall in Greenville just before Election Day.
The potential presidential contender gave an interview to the Spartanburg Herald-Journal ahead of Thursday's trip and spoke warmly of Gov.-elect Nikki Haley, who can expect to be courted by each and every Republican seeking the White House in 2012.

Gingrich said Haley "is going to be seen as a real reformer."

"Her success story, the way she won the primary, the way she came back to win the general (election), the fact that – in many ways – she is building on Gov. Sanford's efforts to reform the state, but doing so in a more inclusive way," Gingrich told the paper. "I think it's going to be fascinating to watch."

The Spartanburg GOP, one of the most influential county party organizations in the state, has already hosted Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, both of whom are laying groundwork for presidential runs.

soundoff(13 Responses)

NVa Native

The GOP is the "Circus of Arrogance and Ignorance" will be on their home turf – the gift that keeps on giving.

December 16, 2010 08:42 am at 8:42 am |

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA

All of these GOP events being held in South Carolina are just a show of how redneckish the GOP is. Newt and his fascists allies are a bunch of people who want to take the country back to pre-civil war times.

December 16, 2010 09:02 am at 9:02 am |

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ

He's going to try to run. I think that he might have a harder time winning the nomination that some other candidates. He would be a strong candidate against Obama.

December 16, 2010 09:09 am at 9:09 am |

Seattle Sue

It looks like the Spartanburg GOP likes to feed losers at their dinners.

December 16, 2010 09:18 am at 9:18 am |

AEK

Hummm...South Carolina, a state where the Newt can fit right in! Good for him.

December 16, 2010 09:29 am at 9:29 am |

Debbie from Arizona

What a joke this man is.

December 16, 2010 09:31 am at 9:31 am |

GonzoinHouston

Newt is just perfect for South Carolina, which should tell you how bad he would be for America.

For all his bluster, Newt is a chickenhawk. He's eager to use military force against anyone, but he's a personal coward. As Speaker, his reaction to his first big political setback was to cut and run.

December 16, 2010 09:40 am at 9:40 am |

Born Again Christians Against the GOP

Newt hates the middle-class and wants to control God. He is a threat to all Americans. He has been married and divorced numerous times. How can anybody want this reatrd telling them how to live and what they can and cannot do in their own personal lives?

Let's pray,

Dear God, cause this idiot to be hit by a falling tree and die.

In Jesus names, amen.

December 16, 2010 09:44 am at 9:44 am |

Yanni

The most toxic person in American politics

December 16, 2010 10:07 am at 10:07 am |

Sorensen

Newt should continue to headline irrelevant dinner parties. That is about the only things he will ever headline.

December 16, 2010 10:07 am at 10:07 am |

Lynn

Gingrich running for President would be great fun. With his dirty laundry, the opposition would have an easy target.

December 16, 2010 10:21 am at 10:21 am |

Adalbert

This egomaniac has nothing to offer for this country.

December 16, 2010 10:50 am at 10:50 am |

Ernie

If Newtie thinks he is going to be the next "President" I think his crystal ball is a little cloudy. What Newtie doesn't understand is that he is not very well liked. If you watch him speak he talks down to people and talks to them like they are stupid, and he has all the answers. We heard that before from Obama. So Newtie if you were smart you wold keep what ever money you have and go back to "teaching history". You day has come and gone, times have changed and time has passed you by. It's time for you to just fade away.